My 2013 Ford Cargo Van (named Juanita) and I are preparing to hit the road full time. First on the agenda was a sweet set of shoes! Hour after hour on the road requires dependable tires especially for a solo traveler. The last place I want to find myself is on a desolate road with a flat tire – alone. While I can’t guarantee that will never happen, I can do everything in my power to limit the likelihood.
With the original tires on the van when I bought it, I never felt like I had good control on rough roads. The road noise was excessive and keeping the van on the road was challenging. In full transparency, I know absolutely nothing about tires and it’s not something I want to spend time researching. I will dig in deep researching something I’m interested in, but tires just don’t do it for me. However, I’m wise enough to know the importance of good tires. So I was thankful for online reviews and especially a recommendation from Bohobugout on Instagram Our vans are similar, and I appreciated her research. I made the switch to BF Goodrich All Terrain T/A KO2 R16.
Link: https://amzn.to/3vn5ACf
PJ and Jake at Discount Tire were a tremendous help and I appreciated their patience and their recommendation. As you can see in the photos, I haven’t decided on hubcaps yet or if I’ll even get them. The simpler, the better for me. (I also snagged a new set of windshield wipers because mine were just awful.)
On a 500-mile road trip a week ago, I noticed a smoother, more stable ride and even better gas mileage. Bigger tires mean more of a jump to get in and out of the van, but that’s exactly what I wanted. For someone who doesn’t know much about tires, this was an excellent purchase and has already made a difference in my travels.
I suppose in a way, tires are the foundation of my van much like a strong foundation in my personal life. Without being grounded and knowing who exactly I am, the world can toss me around and when the road gets bumpy, it’s easy to find myself all over the place. With a strong foundation, it’s easier to get a grip, even on rough roads.
Here’s to a smooth ride and enjoying the journey,
Kristen Reyna
Read more at www.kristenreyna.substack.com
